Ms. Richardson has decided to let her son join Boy Scouts even though they exclude homosexuals. She says they provide benefits that outweigh their discriminatory practices.

She doesn’t mention that Boy Scouts also discriminate based on religious views, and those who don’t believe in gods also aren’t welcome. While I agree that Boy Scouts have the right to discriminate, that doesn’t make it morally acceptable to join them. The KKK has rights to their beliefs, but I certainly am not going to give them my backing as a member.

If Boy Scouts excluded Jews or African Americans, I wonder if Richardson would still think the benefits outweighed the bad. It’s no longer socially acceptable to discriminate against those groups, unlike homosexuals and atheists.

I urge people like Richardson to consider excellent, non-discriminatory alternatives, such as Scouting for All. Her decision in this matter will teach her sons an important lesson about standing up against discrimination or silently accepting it because it doesn’t directly hurt you.

She might regret her decision if her son turns out to be a homosexual or questions the existence of God and the Boy Scouts asks him to leave.

Joel Hale, Dallas

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